Changan Deepal S07 vs KIA Sorento

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Changan Deepal S07 in South Africa

Changan Deepal S07

Deepal S07 Electric Current
ZAR 995,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 160 kW 🔧 320 Nm
VS
KIA Sorento in South Africa

KIA Sorento

2.2 CRDi SXL AWD DCT Diesel 8-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 1,299,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 148 kW 🔧 440 Nm ⛽ 15.6 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Changan Deepal S07 vs KIA Sorento: the short answer

Deepal S07 and Sorento are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Deepal S07 starts ZAR 4,095 cheaper Deepal S07 from ZAR 995,900 · Sorento from ZAR 999,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Deepal S07 Sorento
Maximum Power Deepal S07160 kW Sorento148 kW @ 3800 rpm
Maximum Torque Deepal S07320 Nm Sorento440 Nm @ 1750 rpm
Engine Size Deepal S07Not Applicable Sorento2151 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Deepal S07Not Applicable Sorento15.6 km/l
Ground Clearance Deepal S07165 mm Sorento185 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

Deepal S07

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Sorento

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

Deepal S07

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Sorento

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Deepal S07 Sorento
Model Introduced Year 2025 2021
Generation First South African Deepal S07 retail generation in one five-seat configuration. Fourth generation (MQ4); global launch 2020, SA 2021
Facelift History No South African facelift has been announced for the current Deepal S07. Fourth generation (MQ4) launched SA 2021; updated spec 2024
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable 2024
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style Coupe SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Battery-electric mid-size SUV SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger car SUV
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.2 CRDi SXL AWD DCT
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note - Glacier White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Steel Grey, Interstellar Grey, Gravity Blue
Tare Mass Kg - 1960 kg
Spec Deepal S07 Sorento
Length 4750 mm 4810 mm
Width 1930 mm 1900 mm
Height 1625 mm 1700 mm
Wheelbase 2900 mm 2815 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 165 mm 185 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 176 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 67 l
Boot/Cargo Space 445 l 219 l
Kerb Weight 2073 kg 1960 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2490 kg 2550 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 620 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 2000 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 7 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 3 rows
Doors Not Officially Disclosed 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.75 m 11.2 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 1010 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 955 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1040 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 855 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Deepal S07 and Sorento comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Deepal S07 65 vs Sorento 74.

Efficiency index: Deepal S07 90 vs Sorento 61.

Safety-equipment index: Deepal S07 92 vs Sorento 100.

Practicality index: Deepal S07 66 vs Sorento 64.

Ownership-cover index: Deepal S07 not separately scored vs Sorento 71.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Deepal S07 leads by 2 points

Deepal S07 and Sorento are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 77 /100
Lead 2 points
Data 58% source coverage
77
#1 Evidence leader

Deepal S07

58% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Performance 65
Performance 65
Efficiency 90
Safety 92
Practicality 66
Leads by 2 points
75
#2

Sorento

99% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 100 Check Efficiency 61
Performance 74
Efficiency 61
Safety 100
Practicality 64
Ownership 71
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Sorento +9 Efficiency Deepal S07 +29 Safety Sorento +8 Practicality Deepal S07 +2

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Deepal S07

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 66/100

Sorento

Performance 74/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 100/100
Practicality 64/100
Ownership 71/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Changan Deepal S07 leads the specification evidence index with 77 pts vs 75 pts for Sorento

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Deepal S07 leads. However, Sorento may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Deepal S07 vs Sorento questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.